“Come, have breakfast.” Lord of the charcoal cooking fire,
from whence came the ingredients for that early bread?
As we are served this Christ-cleaned fish, we dare not inquire
how or Who or why, but in dawn’s cold gray, chew and stare instead.
Chewing with our mouths and minds at end of night –
we have not yet received the Spirit’s noonday Light.
For each generation, God the Father gives a special gift. In the 19th century, He gave the message of Lourdes. In the 20th century, it was the message of Fatima. For the 21st century, He has given us the message of Divine Mercy. This was underlined, I think, by the fact that the first saint canonized in this century was Saint Faustina, through whom this message was given.
This is a beautiful thought – that Heaven’s particular gift for our time is the gift of knowing His infinte Mercy. How this generation needs to understand this!
Concerning the Feast of Mercy Jesus said:
Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary 300)
My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. (Diary 699)
During this joyful celebration of the Lord’s resurrection, let’s not forget that it is a time to remember Mama’s joy as well.
On that Easter morning, she sees the fulfillment of every promise and she understands more clearly than any living creature the full meaning of this Event. The ecstatic consolation of again beholding her Son – so recently beaten, broken, poured out for us – now revived, risen, restored, made new, is in direct correlation to the depth of her sharing in His suffering and death. In a sense, His resurrection is her own. She is allowed to touch His glorified Face, to kiss Him with such love and joy that she is already in Heaven – He is Heaven. He holds her gently to His Heart, as her own heart finds its rhythm in His. She brings Him as much joy as He gives her.
Just a few days ago, she held His dead body in her grieving arms, clutching Him to her broken heart. Now it is He who supports her in His glorious arms.
Beauty embraces beauty, Purity looks into the bright eyes of purity, Love unites again with love.
A moment of glory.
“Let Christ descend into your hell… nothing is more powerful than Christ’s resurrection, which is secretly at work in the world, even though its full manifestation remains hidden for now in the pregnant silence of the mystery of God.” ~Abbot Joseph Homick
I couldn’t have said it better, so I will add nothing to that.
Thank you for your patience, friends. I have a houseful of out-of-town guests this week, but will have more time soon. Meanwhile, we pray for one another!
Alleluia! The Lord is risen. He is truly risen!
Risen One, Rising Sun, make all things new.
It is by the shedding of Your human Blood that we are made fit servants,
and now Your glorified Heart beats with Divine love for us.
We are freed by Your love. Freed for You.
more soon… Meanwhile, a blessed Easter to you all.
